Sunday, March 24, 2013

ELECTED LEADERS AND LABOR JOIN FORCES WITH UNITED FOR MARRIAGE COALITION; LOCAL EVENTS PLANNED MAR. 25 & 26

Rochester, N.Y. (March 24, 2013) -- This week the U.S.
Supreme Court will hear arguments on same-sex marriage, a high-stakes moment
for both for American society and for the Court itself. On March 26th the Court
will hear arguments on California’s Proposition 8 (Hollingsworth v. Perry)
case. Shortly thereafter, the Court will review the federal Defense of Marriage
Act in U.S. v. Windsor.

In response, a call to action has been spearheaded by LGBT
icons Cleve Jones and David Mixner. Civil Rights advocates have coalesced into
150 nationwide vigils and events sponsored by a national coalition called
“United for Marriage – Light the Way to Justice.” Supporters were urged to go
to Washington, D.C. to rally at the Supreme Court Building during the hearings
or produce a local event in their area.

In Rochester, N.Y., a very diverse coalition of labor,
faith, business and LGBT Rights advocates will join other nationwide actions in
solidarity by hosting a press conference, panel discussion and candlelight
vigil.

Press Conference:
The ERC will host a press conference to highlight the historic nature of these
two civil rights cases coming before the U.S. Supreme Court. Marriage equality
advocates and affected couples will share their hopes and concerns with regard
to these decisions and make themselves available to media.

6:30 PM: The Gay
Alliance will host a Community Forum
titled, “The DOMA Decisions – Equality on the Line.” A panel of noted speakers
will address the potential legal and societal ramifications of the decisions.

Candlelight Vigil:
As the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments on California’s Proposition 8
case and shortly thereafter the U.S. v. Windsor challenge to the
constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Rochester area
residents will coalesce at a candlelight vigil and public demonstration
featuring many prominent local elected officials and dignitaries, including NYS
Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson. Noted speakers will address the attendees at
4:45 PM.

Statement from NYS Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson:

Harry B. Bronson

“We are on the eve of a historical moment, not unlike two years
ago when we passed marriage equality here in New York State, as the
Supreme Court readies itself to hear the cases against the Defense of Marriage
Act (DOMA) and California’s Proposition 8.

It is my hope and desire that the Supreme Court adheres to one of
the most important principles of our country and affirms what many Federal
Courts have already said: DOMA’s treatment of one group of citizens violates
the Constitution and must fall similar to the fall of such violations of civil
rights of our past. Federal laws provide a safety net for married couples
in the form of health care coverage, family leave, tax treatment, immigration
and many other protections and responsibilities and to deny this safety net to
one group of people is legally wrong –and simply morally wrong. The
Constitution does not permit the Federal Government nor any State (like
California’s proposition 8) to strip away from one group of citizens any
freedom, including the freedom to marry.”

Bronson added, “It is more urgent than ever that we not only make
that point to the Supreme Court through our demonstrations, but also we make it
to the court of public opinion –which is trending on our side and on the side
of full equality. The public events of this week are necessary to remind
everyone in the Greater Rochester area that even though we have fought for and
achieved marriage equality in New York State, our work is not done. We
cannot be fully equal until the Federal government and all states recognize our
marriages for what they are: the commitment of two loving, dedicated adults
who want to build a family, supporting each other emotionally and financially
while sharing in the benefits and the responsibilities of the union of
marriage.”

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